Self-heating adjustable cattle-branding appliance.



w. G. LANDELLS.

SELF HEATING ADJUSTABLE CATTLE BBANDING APPLIANGE. ArrLIoATron FILED nu. 1s; 190e.

926,881 Patented July 6, 1909.

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W. G. LANDELLS. Y SELF HEATING ADJUSTABLE CATTLE BR'ANDING APPLIANGE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. i8, 190B.

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UNlTED STATES `"Pi/XIENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM GEORGE LANDELLS, OF COBURG, VIGTORA, AUSTRALIA.

SELF-HEATING ADJUSTABLE CATTLE-BRANDING APPLIANCE.

To c//ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GEORGE LANDELLs, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Service street, Coburg, in the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented a certain new linproved Self-Heating Adjustable Cattle- Branding Appliance, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of selfheating branding-irons in which the brand is lrept continuously and uniformly-heated.

The object of the invention is to provide novel features in the construction of certain parts for pre-determining the depth to which the brand imprint will be made in the hide of an animal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of automatic feeding device in the tubular handle-reservoir of a self-heating branding iron whereby a constant and even flow of liquid fuel will be forced under air pressure from the tubular handle reservoir to the burner irrespective of the angle or position in which the iron is held.

The invention further provides a novel construction and arrangement of means for the quick interchanging and locking of regnovable branding plates of the branding ion.

In the accompanying drawings illustra, l

' the outer face and the tubular portion (16) tive of my invention Figure 1, represents an enlarged vertical sectional view of the iinproved branding iron. 2, is a vertical elevation of the branding box and the adjustable guard frame used therewith. Fig. 3, is a plan of the rear perforated wall of the branding bon with the adjustable guard frame shown embracing the removable tubular frame. Fig. l1, is a plan of the branding boX and the adjustable guard frame showing the branding plates with the raised letters or numerals on the outer face thereof. Fig. 5, is also a plan of the branding box showing thev opening in its face. In this view the branding plates and the adjustable guard frame are not shown. Fig. 6, is an enlarged sectional plan of my branding iron taken upon the horizontal line (1, 1,) of Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference denote like parts in all the views.

My invention of a self-heating branding Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 18, 1908.

Patented Juiy e, isos.

serai No. 421,880.

iron consists of an adjustable guard frame having the four arms (2), a rectangular shaped perforated guard (3) and the tubular sleeve clamp (4). This clamp is comprised of the projecting ond pieces (5) and (6) through which I drill a hole and insert the bolt (7) carrying a thumb nut so that said clamp can be inade secure upon a removable tubular frame as clearly shown at Figs. 3 and 6. About inidlength of said arms (2) .l fix a guide collar (S) to embrace said removable tubular frame (10) consisting of two end sleeves (10) and (11) formed conjointly with the four equidistant ribs (12) having the openings between thein as at (18) in Figs. 1 and 2. The sleeve (10') is bayonet jointed with the tubular portion (16) of the branding box (15) and the sleeve (11) is similarly jointed with the liquid fuel reservoir (28). Uion the sleeve (11) are cut several divisions o" an inch as at (121) ranging from one sixteenth and upward, so that the inner end of the ad.- justable guard frame can be set to any division by iirst pre-determining the depth to which the brand imprint is to be made in the hide of an animal.

The letters or numerals form part of the branding plates hereinafter described and project beyond the face of said plates about a quarter of an inch.

The branding box (15) which is a box like casting, is provided with. the opening (17) in thereof has a number of holes suoli as (18) to admit air to the interior of the branding box so that the burner flame while heating the branding plates will be continuously supplied with oxygen or atmospheric air. A V shaped flame distributor (19) suitably secured across the inner mouth of said spigot distributes the burner flame upon the flat backs of the three branding plates (20), (21), and `(212), each of which has rabbeted side edges 'fitting into and against each other as shown at Figs. 1 and l to prevent any escape of the burner flame between the joints of said plates. A fastening lever (27) is pivoted at (26) near one end of the branding box (15) to retain the branding plates in a crowded or closed up position while the thumb screw (27A) prevents the fastening lever from swiiiging outwardly. These plates have their' ends under the rabbeted guide strips (23) and (24) suitably secured to the outer face of the branding box and one edge of the plate fits under the rabbeted strip rlhis lever engages with the outer rabbeted edge of the branding plate (22) and also with' the rabbeted end portion of the strip (24) and. when this lever is swung outward these plates may be slid out of the positions shown and others substituted therefor. The tubular handle reservoir (28) holds the liquidL fuel, preferably kerosene, which is introduced into the reservoir through the fuel inlet The bottom end of said reservoir is provided with a flanged screw threaded cap (37) in which is tightly inserted an air-pump, consisting of the tube (29) provid d with the air passage (30) and the perforated cap thimble (33) while the non-return air valve (3l) prevents the compressed air from returning' again to the pump. (32) is a compression spring for valve (3l). The plunger rod (34) passes through the stuffing box (38) and screw gland (39) and is provided with the leather gasket (85) held thereon by the two nuts (36).

For the introduction of the liquid fuel to the reservoir l construct the fuel inlet (49) in which is fixed the wire gauze oil strainer (4l) for the reservoir while the latter is being' filled with kerosene. Through the inlet cap (42) l drill a hole which contains a seat (44) for the eonically pointed thumb screw valve (43) which can be operated so as to allow of the air pressure within. the reservoir being ini stantly reduced or released for regulating the intensity of the burner flame. (45) is a sleeve of felt or asbestos fitting tightly over the reservoir to act as a non-conductor of heat whereby the operator can conveniently f handle the implement.

rilhe feeding device of my iron shown at Fig. l, consists of the central feed tube (47) which fits tightly in a hole drilled in the lived head of the reservoir and priming cup @ne end of this tube then enters the hole or passage-way (53) of the burner block 55) while the other end of said tube projects into the reservoir (28). rlhis feed tube is provided with two circular rows of feed ports (5l) and (52) which communicate with the passage-way of said tube and the burner block inlet passage (53). Upon the tube (47) l mount the rotatory sliding sleeve (48) which is free to automatically move or swing axially to any position. Said feed tube is also provided with the screw threaded end cap (54) which serves to limit the length of travel of said sleeve (48) to which l secure two hollow feed arms (49) and (50) to continuously admit liquid fuel to the said feed tube in whatever position the implement is held by the operator. The hole or passageway (53) aforementioned is drilled in said burner block in which l also drill the hole or passage-way (64). ln the forward ends of the holes (53) and (64) l secure the inner ends of the oppositely arranged pipes (65) and (66), while to the outer ends of said pipes l securely fix the diamond shaped hollow ljunction piece (67). The rear edge of said burner block is set hard against the rim of the priming cup and is retained in the position shown by the end of the central feed tube fixed in said passage-way (53) of the burner block. rfhe priming cup (55) is bulbshaped and is provided with a flange (55^) which is rigidly fixed to the head of the reservoir. (57) is the removable tubular shield inclosing these pipes (65) and (G6) also the junction piece, and is bayonet jointed with the burner block by means of the two L shaped slots as at (63), thereby permitting of the easy removal of said shield so that access may be had to the parts inclosed therein. Said shield (57) is provided with openings (58) and (59) spaced equally all around to admit atmospheric air to the burner flame. l forni the nozzle ((39) upon this shield so as to fit loosely into the central aperture of the dellecting disk (61) which is made with pivot axles carried in holes made in the removable tubular frame. (G8) is the vapor burner nipple screw threaded to fit into the outlet assage (54) of the burner block (5G) and provided with the needle vapor discharge (69).

The working of my self-heating branding iron is as follows: `\/Vhere it is required to burn letters to a depth of say one-eighth of an inch in the hides of cattle, l adjust the guard frame so that the end of sleeve (4) will be on the hrst eighth of the divisions marked off as at (14) Fig. 2 on the removable tubular frame 10 and so that the outer face of the guard (3) will be level with the dotted line The branding letters therefore project beyond the outer plane ofthe guard frame 3. The thumb screw (7) with nut thereon is then tightened to clamp the adjustable guard frame firmly in position upon said tubular frame. The liquid fuel is then introduced into the reservoir (2S) through the inlet (40) by removing the cap (42). l then hold the implement in a vertical position and in the priming cup (55) l then place a small quantity of methylated spirit, which when ignited by means of a match heats the burner block (56), pipes (55) and (G5) and junction-piece (67). This heating starts the flow of liquid fuel vapor from the passage-way (G9) of the nipple (68). rl`he plunger rod (34) carrying the gasket (35) is then pushed inwardly so as to pump atmospheric air through the passage way (39) and as it is drawn outwardly a partial vacuum is created in the upper end of said tube (29). As the air enters around and between the plunger rod (34) and the loose packing of the stuffing box (3S) it is therefore free to pass the leather gasket (35) to the forward vacuum part of said pump tube (29), wherefrom it is forced past the valve (3l) through the air holes in the cap tliimble (33) I siticn, and that the burning in oli the letters into the reservoir (2S) when the plunger rod (34) is again pushed inwardly. The air pressure, which may now be increased by pumping air into the reservoir (2S) will i'orce the liquid l'uel into the passage-way ol' long hollow arm (49) which l'or the time being is partly suspended in the li uid l'uel while the implement is held vertical y. rlhe liquidl'uel i i acted upon by the air pressure is then i'orced througli the ports (52) which are now in communication with the passage-way ol' said hollow feed arm (49) and that ol the central :feed tube (47), the other ports having been shut oli from communication with the reservoir (28) by the upper end portion ol' the sleeve (4S). From the passage-ways of said long hollow arm (49), ports (52), and central leed tube (47) the liquid i'uel passes into the pipe (66), and entering the junction piece (67) it is divided into two streams which on exit therefrom to the pipe (65) and outlet passage way (64) again unite. While passing through the burner block passages (53) and (64), pipes (66) and (65), and said junction piece (67), the liquid l'uel is vaporized by the burner flame and upon ignition ol the vapor issuing from the passage exit (69) ol' the nipple (68) an intense iiame l'ed by the external air entering through the openings (i3), (58) and (59) completely envelops and heats the pipes (65) and (66) and junction piece (67), so as to prime and generate the liquid l'uel into vapor. The llame then issues through the nozzle (60) and enters the per- 'l'orated branding box (l5) and impinges upon the rear faces oi the branding plates; the flame is not only equally distributed thereupon by means ol' the V shaped distributor but is also prevented i'roin passing between the oints ol' the plates by their rabbeted side edges, fitting into one another. Any return llame will be deflected bach again into the branding bon (l5) by the dellecting dish (6l). The saine result attained when thc branding iron is held horizontally or inclined downwardly in which case the rotatory sliding sleeve (4S) carrying the two hollow arms (49) and (50) slides to a position against the inner end ol' the reservoir, thereby opening the ports (51) to the passage way ol the short hollow arm (50) which now depends in the liquid `li'uel. The downward sliding movement having altered the position oi' the sleeve 48 upon the central :leed tube (47) shuts oil the ports (52) and the long hollow arm (49) from communication with the liquid i'uel con-` tained in the tubular handle reservoir.

I wish it to be here understood that the hollow :feed-arms (49) and (50) upon the sleeve (48) will not only rotate with said sleeve (453) in any axial position, but will also i'ollow the oil around the inner circum- 'l'erence ol the reservoir (28) as the implement is revolubly moved or held in any poor numerals to the required depth is continued until the perforated guard (3) bears hard against the animals hide.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A self-heating branding iron comprising a tubular handle reservoir, a tubular trame detachably connected thereto, an adjustable guard iframe, a perforated guard connected with the outer end oi said frame, and an adjustable clamp securing said lrame to the tubular frame.

2. In a sell-heating branding iron, an automatic oil leeding device oi the character described, coi'nprising a central feed tube, one end ol which enters the burner block passage (53), while the other end passes through the priming cup (55), finally projecting into the tubular handle reservoir, wherein it is provided with the flanged end cap (54), two circular rows ol feed ports in the end of said tube situated within the reservoir, a rotatory sliding sleeve mounted upon the end oit' the ieed tube, extending over the feed ports and provided with the two hollow :leed arms communicating with said i'eed tube and alternately with each row of said i'eed ports, substantially as described.

3. In a device oiAl the character described, a leed tube having one end connected with the passage-way (53) oi' the burner block and the other end projected through the priming-cup and into the tubular handle ol' the reservoir wherein it is closed by the ilanged end cap (54) and provided with the circular rows oi l'eed ports (5l) and (52), the rotatory sliding sleevehaving the two hollow l'eed arms (49) and (50) operating with said sleeve revolubly within the reservoir for the continuous supply oi liquid l'uel from the reservoir to the burner block and its passages, vaporizing pipes and vapor discharge nipple through either row oi' said leed ports according to the upward or downward direction given to the implement by the operator, substantially as described.

4. In a device oi' the character described,

a branding-bon with an opening in its top,

rabbeted strips at the sides, and one strip at one end of said opening, movable and interchangeable branding plates having their edges slidably held in said rabbeted portions, said plates having cppositely rabbeted meeting edges forming overlapping portions, and a pivoted Afastening lever held in position by a thumb-screw and bearing against the rabbeted edge oi' the outer branding plate (22), substantially as described.

5. In a device oi the character described, a branding-box, side and end rabbeted strips upon the iront lace thereol to i'orm a bed l'or holding the branding plates in engagement with one another and preventing any i-Lfescape ol' flame between them, a fastening In testimony whereof I have hereunto set lever held by e thumb screw lor keeping my hand 1n presence ol two subscribing witszud lever and plates 1n position and a tubunesses.

lar portion upon the said branding box to WILLIAM GEORGE LANDELLS. 5 lit into the removable tubular frame and Vitnesses:

`connect therewith by u bayonet joint, sub- C. HARKETT,

stantially as described. ALBERT E. I. SwANsoN. 

